KPCC president G. Parameshwar, minister K.J. George and former minister Prof B.K. Chandrashekhar pay their respect to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary in Bengaluru on Thursday (Photo: KPN)
BENGALURU: KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar said on Thursday that he has asked partymen not to be casual in their approach to Gram Panchayat elections as their outcome would have an impact polls to the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
He told the media after paying tributes to the late prime minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi, here that party workers have been told to highlight achievements of the two-year-old government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the run-up to these elections. “This election is very crucial, and leaders as well as party workers must work for the victory of Congress supported candidates,” he added
On BBMP polls, Dr Parameshwar said the party had already held a meeting to work its strategy. The previous civic body with the BJP in power did precious little in Bengaluru, and was mired in scams and controversies. Congress workers have demanded a high-level probe to investigate these irregularities committed by BJP. The Kataria Committee had unearthed large-scale irregularities in advertisement hoardings and observed failures of the previous elected body to address problems of garbage and pothole roads. The results of BBMP polls were also important for the party as it would further strengthen the government, he added.
On BJP leaders challenging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make Karnataka “BJP-mukth,” Dr Parameshwar said these leaders first claimed that they would make the country “Congress-mukth.” “They owe an answer to the people. No party can make the country free from the 130-year Congress party. In this background, the Chief Minister spoke about making Karnataka “BJP-mukth,” he added
On suspended Congress MLA A S Patil, he said he has already briefed the high command about this MLA’s act of indiscipline and had requested the AICC to take action against him. “Our party will not tolerate anyone who speaks about division of the state,” he added.
